Sunderland among England’s worst cities for proportion of people out of work

Kevin Clark

Sunderland is one of the worst areas in the country for the proportion of people out of work, according to new figures.

The Department for Communities and Local Government English Indices of Deprivation 2015 rates areas across the country for deprivation.

It’s always a major concern to hear about poverty and deprivation in our city, especially if they’re increasing.

Coun Paul Watson

One category is ‘Employment Deprivation,’ defined as ‘the proportion of the working age population in an area involuntarily excluded from the labour market’.

“This includes people who would like to work but are unable to do so due to unemployment,sickness or disability, or caring responsibilities.”

The report includes a table of the 20 worst-hit local authorities, which places Sunderland at number 13, with 18.5 per cent of working age adults in employment deprivation.

Sunderland City Council leader Coun Paul Watson said the authority was working hard to attract news jobs to the city, but cuts in funding were making it more difficult: “It’s always a major concern to hear about poverty and deprivation in our city, especially if they’re increasing.

“The City Council, too, has its concerns as Central Government makes disproportionate cuts in local government funding to more economically and socially deprived areas such as Sunderland or our neighbours.

“Both the council and its partners continue to work hard at denting and reducing deprivation.

“This is through our people-focussed services, and improving our built environment and infrastructure.”